Spider problem prompts Mazda recall

Mazda is recalling more than 65,000 Mazda6 cars from the 2009-2010 model years in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico after discovering spider webs in the vehicle’s vents.

According to the Japanese automaker, a spider could weave a web in a vent connected to the fuel tank system and clog up the tank’s ventilation. Pressure on the fuel tank could lead to a crack, causing fuel leakage and the risk of a fire. Mazda said it was unaware of any fires, accidents or injuries caused by the issue.

The webs are linked to yellow sac spiders and it is unclear why they are crawling into the Mazda6 rather than other vehicles, a Mazda spokesman told the Associated Press. So far, webs have been discovered in 20 Mazda6 vehicles.

The recall involves vehicles with 2.5 litre engines built from April 2008 to February 2010.

Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mid-March and told to take their vehicles to dealers for inspection and repairs. Dealers will inspect and clean up the vent line, and install a spring to prevent a spider from entering the vent line.